# questionable

/ˈkwɛstʃənəbəɫ/ (US) · /kwˈɛstʃənəbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/questionable
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. doubtful or uncertain

adjective · CEFR B2

not likely to be true or correct; something you should doubt.

For teachers: open to doubt or challenge regarding factual accuracy or validity.

- The results of the study are questionable because the researchers only tested five people.
- The validity of the data remains questionable, as the methodology failed to account for significant environmental variables during the trial period.

### 2. morally doubtful

adjective · CEFR B2

likely to be dishonest, wrong, or not respectable.

For teachers: of dubious respectability, morality, or honesty.

- He has some questionable friends who always seem to get into trouble with the police.
- The company's questionable hiring practices eventually led to a full investigation by the labour board.

### 3. inviting inquiry

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

inviting or asking for a question to be asked.

For teachers: inviting inquiry or conversation; capable of being questioned.

- The stranger's sudden appearance in the village was a questionable event.
- Thou com'st in such a questionable shape that I will speak to thee.

## Examples

- The results of the study are questionable because the group was too small.
- The company's decision to hire the CEO's son raised several questionable ethical concerns among the board members.
- While the data suggests a slight improvement in performance, the methodology used to collect those figures remains highly questionable and requires independent verification.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.